#septemberissue

Editorial

Taylor is an “American girl, she is a sister, a daughter, and a hard worker. Those are the kinds of people that I am drawn towards,” says Sherald. She calls this portrait a contribution to the “moment and to activism—producing this image keeps Breonna alive forever.”

Sherald’s process typically begins with taking a picture of her subject. Painting Taylor, a person she had never met, who would never be able to sit for her, presented a unique challenge. Sherald took extraordinary care in reimagining Taylor, inflecting her portrait with symbols of the 26-year-old’s life. Sherald found a young woman with similar physical attributes, studied Taylor’s hairstyles and fashion choices, and drew inspiration from things she learned about the young woman—that she had been a frontline worker in the battle against COVID-19; that her boyfriend had been about to propose marriage; that she was self-possessed, brave, loving, loved.

“She sees you seeing her. The hand on the hip is not passive, her gaze is not passive. She looks strong!” says Sherald. “I wanted this image to stand as a piece of inspiration to keep fighting for justice for her. When I look at the dress, it kind of reminds me of Lady Justice.”

A significant shift in the air tells us that the big, bold and the beautiful has arrived at our doorstep once again. As we prepare to welcome majestic covers and fresh beginnings, come the new season, excitement is an understatement for the fashion community when it comes to describing the annual presence of September. The anticipation of the coming season has inspired us to reflect upon an array of iconic September issues, both old and new, retelling and reflecting on their own individual, remarkable stories.

A quick throwback to 2009 and we arrive at popular fashion documentary The September Issue, staring some of the industries biggest giants including Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington. Together the duo welcomed us into American Vogue for an insightful look into the magazine’s biggest and most influential issue. Whilst fashion editor’s a like come under a monthly pressure of curating a magazine that harnesses both intriguing content and spectacular editorials, the issue with the strongest fashion pull continues to fall upon the month of September. But why is this? As the summer holidays conclude and there’s a back to school feeling looming, the significance of the Autumn/Winter season derives from it’s ‘fresh start’ appeal and, of course, the excitement of shopping for a new wardrobe. Out with the old and in with the new doesn’t go unnoticed, as the September continues to be the largest issue of the year due to the influx of advertisers, all keen to show off their new campaigns and collections.

Just five days ago Editor-In-Chief at British Vogue, Edward Enninful, revealed his September “Forces for Change” cover in collaboration with, and guest edited, by HRH The Duchess of Sussex. The beautiful cover uniquely welcomes 15 change-makers, “All titans in their respected fields” Edward praised on is Instagram post.  If we remember back to the editor’s first issue of Vogue in December 2017, where the stunning Adwoa Aboah graced the cover, I find myself reliving that same urgency to get my hands on my own copy. Wanting a piece of the excitement just for myself. Edward has done just that once again, whilst he’s served us the magnificent in the meantime, it’s covers like this that are truly inspiring as we watch an iconic moment in fashion unfold in front of our very own eyes. From 16 year old climate and environmental activist Greta Thunberg, to 81 year old acting legend Jane Fonda. British Vogue certainly welcomes both the old and the new when celebrating extraordinary women that are redefining our world for the better. The most touching and perhaps most remarkable element to the cover falls responsible to the 16th slot, you. The Duchess herself specifically curated a space for me and you, allowing us to take our place alongside 15 other strong women. Simply by looking in the mirror, to be printed on the cover, we are all invited to be a part of this movement.

September 2018 in particular was an outlet for fashion magic, or more specifically #BlackGirlMagic. The trending hashtag was a result of an influx of beautiful Black women gracing the covers of some of the industries biggest publications, including Vogue, Porter and Elle. In the wake of this significant representation for women of colour, cover stars including Rihanna, Zendaya and Lupita Nyong’o were just a few of the talented women, of all different hues, showcasing the multifaceted beauty of Black women. These covers not only aided redefining the beauty standards within Western culture, but it also became a platform for showcasing both Black culture and talent through both the cover stars and the behind the scenes teams too. As Beyoncé’s starred on the US Vogue cover, for the fourth time, the singer hand-selected 23-year-old photographer Tyler Mitchell. This put Tyler amongst one of the youngest photographers to have shot the cover of Vogue, as well as the first African American to capture the cover in its 125 years of history. Never has a season seen so much diversity in its casting across a vast variety of publications, and once again, it truly was magical.  

Perhaps it was down to a friend loaning me this magazine after his holiday in New York that has lead to me titling this 2012 cover as ‘iconic’. The striking fuchsia of the Marc Jacobs gown brings me back to almost a child-like state of mind, when the fashion industry seemed so foreign and holding a glossy magazine from New York was the pinnacle point of my week, perhaps month. Yet, from her eyebrow raising decision to leak the cover on her fanbase website, Little Monsters, Gaga aligned her appearance with US Vogue as both exciting and controversial from the outset. Seemingly without blessing from the publications Editor-In-Chief, Anna Wintour, the singer wrote “SHH DONT TELL TWITTER/ SEPT ISSUE OF VOGUE MAGAZINE/ Sorry Anna but the underground kids deserve it.” Following this, although no secret fashion editorials are all subjected to retouching, more press amounted as the magazine innocently released a behind the scenes video unaware that they were also blowing their cover. Literally. The stark contrast revealed the not so fabulous Marc Jacobs gown was no where near as flattering or ‘cinching’ and her bleached mane was no more than a birds nest. Leaving the cover as a bittersweet moment for as the ‘Born this Way’ singer as she appeared to not be practicing what she preached. 

As publications begin releasing their covers and they hit newsstands in the coming days, LOVE, Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar, to name a few, will appear to be left in the shadow of magazine giant British Vogue, as they continue to steal the headlines. Astonishingly perhaps a magazine will become the ‘must-have’ item this season and a Gucci handbag won’t be comparable to the originality crafted by HRH Duchess of Sussex, Edward Enninful and the 15 change-makers. 

Discussing the Autumn/Winter seasons has us excited to share with you our A/W19 collection, follow us on all social media platforms for upcoming sneak-peaks to be revealed soon!

Look what just came in the mail.... my new bible lol It will remain boxed and in pristine condition for the rest of time 🦋